Centralia, Washington Development News

Centralia Council Votes to Lift Warehouse Moratorium with Conditions After Extensive Debate

The City Council engaged in an extensive discussion regarding a moratorium on warehouses and distribution centers exceeding 250,000 square feet, ultimately voting to lift the moratorium under specific conditions. The council considered five recommendations, ranging from an immediate lift to maintaining and extending the moratorium. After deliberation, public comment, and council discussion, a motion to adopt recommendation number two, which involves lifting the moratorium contingent on entering into a joint interlocal agreement with the Port of Centralia and Lewis County, adopting amendments to city zoning ordinances to allow larger distribution centers only in Port Park 1, and extending the moratorium for six months or less to facilitate these approvals, was passed with a friendly amendment. This amendment directed city staff to ensure that commitments from the Port of Centralia and LPC (Logistics Property Company) regarding mitigation measures and developer agreements are incorporated into the interlocal and future development agreements. The council also discussed concerns about the potential for developers to circumvent size limits by building multiple smaller warehouses and the implications for traffic and community character. A significant portion of the discussion also addressed the possibility of ICE detention centers, with assurances from the port and city staff that current zoning and port policies would prevent this, though the council acknowledged the possibility of strengthening zoning if desired. The final vote was 5-2 in favor of the amended recommendation number two.